Chapter 19

Moisture had been gathering at the nape of Siena's neck as she sat in the drawing room with the gathered party.

She was surprised by her overwhelm from the scrutiny of both her closest friend and the man she was falling for. Siena could practically feel the curiosity radiating from Eliza as she sat beside her on the sofa, struggling to keep all of her questions inside until the two of them were alone.

Then there was Levi. The weight of his stare was heavy, and she could practically hear what he was thinking – that this was the reason he hadn't invited her in to stay with him, as her presence would invite others and their judgement.

The next time they had a moment alone, she would have to convince him that if there was anyone who would allow him to keep his peace and his secret, it was Eliza and her mother, who were nothing like what one would expect from most women of the ton.

But first, she must convince them of her safety.

"It is growing late," Lady Willoughby said once Siena had finished her story and they had all sat in some shock. "Your Grace, I am so sorry to have intruded like this, but would it be far too forward of me to ask that we might be able to stay for the night, at least? We will have to decide on the next step forward for Siena, but first, I believe we could all use a good night's sleep."

"Of course," Levi said gruffly, although his tone made it clear that he was only agreeing because he had no other option. "I will speak to Mrs. Porter."

It appeared the housekeeper had already taken matters into her own hands, however, for she arrived at the door just as Levi was speaking to tell them all that the rooms were already prepared for their guests.

"Will Lord Fitzroy be staying?" she asked, and Siena had nearly forgotten Levi's friend as he sat beside him, his fingers steepled together as he watched and listened with interest.

"He'll be going," Levi said, just as Lord Fitzroy answered for himself. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world," he said.

As Mrs. Porter hurried away, Levi growled, asking if he had the ability to make any decisions in this house that he owned.

Fitz only laughed, and Siena's heart warmed that Levi had a friend like him, who seemed to treat him no differently than he ever had before.

They agreed to reconvene at dinner, and Eliza grabbed Siena's hand as Mrs. Porter led them up the stairs and showed Eliza, her mother, and Lord Fitzroy to chambers on the opposite wing of Siena's bedroom. Siena followed her friend up the stairs, starting when she nearly ran into someone leaving the room.

"McGregor!" she said, pressing a hand against her breast. "You startled me. Us."

McGregor looked from Siena to Eliza and back again, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"The duke does not appreciate visitors."

Siena's eyes widened. "I know, McGregor," she said softly, appreciating his loyalty but knowing that Eliza wasn't pleased from the sharp intake of breath. "But Lady Eliza is my friend, and she will keep all of the secrets necessary. What are you doing in this chamber?"

"Delivering the bags."

"Oh, I thought the footmen would see to that," she said, confused.

"Just helping where I can. Good day, my lady."

Siena nodded, dismissing him, both ladies turning to watch him go.

"That was odd," Eliza said with a frown. "Is this what all of the servants are like?"

"No," Siena shook her head. "Most of them are quite lovely. McGregor was in the war with Levi, and I believe he has had a tough life. Levi has given him a chance to start over."

"The Duke of Death seems much more generous than most would think."

"He is," Siena said, trying not to bristle at the awful name that so many called him. "That's a moniker I believe should be forgotten."

"Of course. I apologize," Eliza said contritely as they entered the room. "I am glad we finally have a moment alone," Eliza said, sinking down on the bed. She paused for a moment to look around. "This room is very blue."

"Yes," Siena said with a slight laugh. "Every bedroom is a different color. Mine is as pink as yours is blue."

The décor of this room was all a rather faded blue, but at one point it likely had been a bright, vibrant royal hue. Now, the curtains appeared nearly striped from the difference the sun had made in parts of them, while the carpet in the middle of the room was worn, although the bed covering appeared to be newer than the rest of the room.

The windows looked out over the opposite side of the estate, providing a view of the sunset as it was dipping low over the horizon, causing a pink and orange brilliance to fill the sky.

"I understand that you said you feel safe, Siena, but you must tell me, has the duke been… respectful?"

Siena tried to hold back her reaction to her friend's question, but she couldn't help the giggle that rose up from deep within her. It began low in her stomach, and she covered her mouth with her hand to try to keep it inside, but it wasn't long until the laugh had bubbled out and Eliza's eyes widened in shock.

"I am not entirely sure what this means, but I have a feeling that I should be concerned," Eliza said, tilting her head, one of her dark curls bobbing off of her forehead. "Should I be worried, Siena? Oh goodness, what has happened? As much as I love seeing laughter within you again, you must stop that and tell me everything."

Siena's laughter finally abated, and she took pity on Eliza and came to sit next to her on the bed.

"When the duke first rescued me, I was frightened and untrusting of him, of course," she said. "But he opened his home to me, as much as he had no wish for visitors." She wasn't about to tell Eliza the entirety of Levi's story. He had told her that in confidence and she wouldn't break his trust. "Over time, however, I came to see another side of him. A side that is protective. That is compassionate. That loves with no bounds."

"Does he love you?" Eliza asked, leaning forward.

Siena sighed. "I am not entirely sure. I would like to think that he is on his way to loving me."

"My goodness, Siena," Eliza said, blinking. "This is quite the turn of events. I am… not judging you at all, as I feel you should do whatever makes you happy, but I wonder if your one act of rebellion has only urged you on to more."

Disappointment tugged her lips downward.

"I thought if anyone would understand, it would be you."

Eliza rushed forward. "I do, Siena, I do, I promise. Your heart is pure, and I know that you would never do anything out of spite or for scandal. I should know that better than anyone."

"Thank you," Siena said softly. "I do care for him. Truly."

"Are you going to marry him?"

"He would have to ask."

"Has he… compromised you?" Eliza whispered. "No judgement from me either way, but it might make a difference to your future."

"I wouldn't call it compromising," Siena said slowly, her cheeks now fiery as Eliza gasped. "But yes."

"Siena! Oh, you must tell me everything."

Siena couldn't help but laugh at that again.

"I do not think I could ever share such intimate details," she said. "But everything you ever taught me about a man and woman joining together was very helpful."

"Wonderful," Eliza beamed. "Although I must admit, that was all from research and not from experience, much to my dismay."

Siena snorted before becoming much more serious.

"I do not know what to say about the future. I do have tenderness for the duke, but I do not believe he wishes to ever marry, or welcome anyone to his home for an extended period of time. He wants to be alone. That is part of why he is here."

"Would you stay with him if he asked you to?" Eliza asked, and it took Siena a little longer to answer that.

"If he would have me and allow me the freedom to see you and do as I please, then yes."

"If he would have you? Why would he not? You are utterly perfect."

Siena could only shake her head at that, as she smiled somewhat regretfully.

"It is so much more complicated than that."

Eliza's blue eyes gazed intently into hers. "Any man – and I mean any man, duke or not – would be lucky to have you. You are the one who must find love, Siena, do you understand me?"

Siena laughed softly. "I understand."

"Do you miss London? Your family?"

Siena shook her head. "I miss you, of course, and a few of our other friends, but as sad as it is, I am glad to be gone from my family."

"They are rather horrid."

"Eliza!"

"Well, it's true, and if you won't say it, then I will say it for you." She sobered somewhat. "They are making a bit of noise about your disappearance. As is Lord Mulberry, although he is quick to retreat to his clubs, so no one is truly convinced of the suffering he claims."

"It will pass with the next scandal, will it not?"

Eliza shrugged. "I should hope so, but the rumors are increasing. They began by suggesting you ran away with a lover but now they are turning more sinister, saying that you were captured."

Siena nibbled her lower lip in worry. "If you are concerned that they will blame the duke if I am discovered, you should know that I have a similar fear, although he doesn't seem to share it. He says that if I am able to refute them, then nothing will come of it."

"One would hope. He is a duke – and yet, there is already so much speculation about him after the death of his brother."

"He is distraught about his brother's death," Siena said, swift to come to his defense. "Besides that, he has no wish to be a duke."

"You do not have to convince me," Eliza said, waving a hand. "It is the rest of the ton."

"Which is the very reason he hid here, away from the world," Siena mused. "Until I discovered him."

"Do not blame yourself for anything," Eliza said, "except for exploring the world as you have longed to and finding a man who sees you for the person you truly are. Now, we best get dressed for dinner. I know I didn't provide you much, so I managed to sneak a few dresses out of your house for you."

"You… snuck into my parents' house?" Siena said, following Eliza to the wardrobe as she pulled out familiar dresses and laid them in her arms.

"I did. I waited until I knew our parents were at an event together and then convinced a footman to accompany me and sneak in. Even my mother wouldn't have approved."

Ignoring the fact that her parents had gone to a social event despite a missing daughter, Siena could hardly believe what Eliza was saying.

"What if you had been caught?"

Eliza laughed. "That is far from the most daring escapade I have undertaken."

"Well, thank you," Siena said, somewhat bewildered by her friend, although she always had been.

"Did you like the lilac gown I packed you? It was one of my favorites."

"I did love it. But… it is destroyed."

That had Eliza stopping what she was doing and turning around to face her in shock. "Destroyed? How?"

Siena sighed. "It is another long story, but one that includes a fire in the stables."

"Recently?"

"Yes."

"My goodness, Siena, but this man has bad luck with fires. Do you think that, perhaps, there just might be something to the rumors?—"

"No," Siena said swiftly. "Absolutely not."

Eliza nodded, although she didn't appear convinced. "Very well. If you say so. It just seems like quite a coincidence for one man to be struck by multiple fires, does it not?"

"I don't know, Eliza," Siena said softly. "I agree that there must be more to it, but I have no answers for you other than knowing that the duke had nothing to do with it."

"If you believe it, then I do too," Eliza said confidently.

"You are a good friend, Eliza."

"There is none better than you."

They shared a smile.

"Now," Siena said, narrowing her eyes at her, "you must tell me about Lord Fitzroy."

"Lord Fitzroy?" Eliza said, her eyes widening, although her innocence seemed somewhat feigned. "There is nothing to tell."

"Are you sure about that? When you saw him, you seemed rather… overcome."

"Not at all," Eliza said, tossing her hair back behind her. "Our families are friends of course. That is all."

"But you would tell me if there was something there?"

"Of course," Eliza said, a smile covering her face, although Siena had the feeling that it was rather forced. "You would be the first to know."